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I could’ve done without the guy with the two holes in his head and the severed arm. Okay, we get the “this is not your grandfather’s Firestorm” memo already.

I liked the intro of Mikhail. In the original run, let’s face it. Mikhail was a little milquetoast. This Mikhail shows up and says something like “Petty criminals and con artists, you steal a man’s life work and expect to get away with it?” and blows them out of the freaking sky.

It’s interesting that Mikhail claims he and Martin Stein *co*-created the Firestorm protocols. I wonder if that’s on the level or not. So far, only Stein has been credited as the creator.

No Fury in this issue. And I’m sure no followers of this blog would be surprised to hear that I for one did not miss him a bit.

Jason’s concern for Tonya was touching. This book needs more room for genuine human emotion and a way in for us readers to connect with these characters. The constant presence of black-ops quasi-government figures around every corner is getting a little ham-fisted for me. Again, my reaction is a constant state of “we get it!” These are some of the baddest baddy-bad-asses on the globe.

I really hope Ronnie isn’t too stupid to trust Zither. I only say that for the sake of the continued characterization of this version of Ronnie. A Ronnie that could be *that* dumb is not a Ronnie I’m sure I want to read about.

Also, I notice that Jason was in his civilian form at the hospital while Ronnie was still in Firestorm mode. They are going to have to clarify soon whether they always have to be together to become Firestorm, or if they can individually become Firestorm in their own right at any time, or what.

@Ethan – Thanks for stopping by! Great job on this issue! I know you plotted this one entirely by yourself.

Personally, I really dug this issue! From a plotting perspective, I thought the story flowed and cut between scenes very logically. There was something like seven distinct scenes in 20 pages and it felt natural. You really get your money’s worth with this book!

I really liked Mikhail’s fight (trying to avoid blatant spoilers here). Very cool with some good shocking bits. Makes me wonder if each Firestorm has different powers. I also was pleased to see more usage of Ronnie & Jason’s powers. Very interesting developments there.

While I loved Yildiray Cinar’s previous work on the series, I enjoyed seeing Norm Rapmund’s inks too. The book looks different, but not in a bad way. The art is a little more traditional superhero, but still maintains the dynamic bits. The scene when Ronnie brings the heat is amazing!

Great work! Looking forward to future issues! The series gets better with every issue!

I also think it’s interesting that this version of Pozhar seems to have his own version of Comrade Zastrow (from the original run) manipulating him. That also was a good nod to the original continuity.

By the way, Ethan, I’ve gotta say— some of my comments have been kind of harsh (particularly regarding Fury), but I give you guys all the credit in the world for trying something bold and different with the character. It takes guts.

I really enjoyed this issue. We made a trek to see the inlaws @ New Years weekend, but I had my wife pick it up (as part of an appointment for my older kids) — nice of her to do! — and had a chance to read it right before we left.

A few toughts (not necessarily specific to the issue and I have no real Firestorm background after some of his comics in the 80s, so I don’t have the same connection others might to the “history” of the character) —

1) I like the idea of Ronnie and Jason as “individual, autonomous superheroes able to become Firestorms any time they wish.” It is actually one of the things I like the most about the book so far and I hope it stays that way. I would love to know more about how they use their specific powers, since, as Shag has pointed out, they tend to use them a little differently.

2) I find Fury to be very interesting. In light of point # 1, I do sometimes struggle appreciating multiple entities inhabiting one character, but I do like Fury. I think I will like him even more as we become better acquainted with the mystery of how they work toether, who else helps make him, etc. etc.

3) Mikhail is awesome, and I think I am going to like this world of Firestorm-powered characters!

4) (Possible spoiler). I liked the purple Firestorm – I wonder if this is the result of the “dirty bomb-ish Firestorm protocol.

5) I am really curious what other characters we will be seen from the DC Universe. How can Mikhail let Captain Atom waltz around like a leak radioactive plant and not try to take care of him?

I was late picking up this issue, only because my local shop was late getting it.
Good progression of story, although your interview with Gerry Conway still echoes in my ears a bit – we’re four issues in and the current story of the Nuclear Men seems to be far from any kind of resolution. Maybe I’m just getting old and complaining about when Coke cost 10 cents, but even 22 minute TV shows seem able to wrap up a whole story with a beginning, middle and end while carrying forward grander themes that can be picked up by long-time followers.
This, I fear, will be the death of any ongoing series: a monthly book that can’t pick up new readers along the way. When I was a kid, I picked up the Justice League of America title at about issue 180-ish. Those stories involving multiple heroes would often be wrapped up within an issue or two, at most. You could miss a couple issues, pick up the book again and have missed very little. I feel sorry for the reader who tries to pick up Firestorm now at issue #4 (let alone # 12!) and try to figure out what’s going on.
No disrespect meant to the creators (who seem to frequent this wonderful shrine to flamehead!) because I’m probably just one of those old cronies who refuses to keep up with the times but I only express these thoughts as one who cares about the future of Firestorm.
My fear six months ago was that there would be two Firestorms flying around with different costumes. I was right, but it didn’t end there. Now there’s the Firestorm protocol, which has presumably, dozens of Firestorms out there; an interesting concept and I’m really enjoying aspects of it (like similarities/differences in costumes, powers, etc.) but I worry this plotline will play out until issue #24 or more. It’s epic, and I know the world is watching, but that can be a good and a bad thing for Firestorm, who many probably know about, but not on a Superman level, where someone can pick up an issue based on a cool cover and know generally what the character is about. I hate to say that that gives Superman or Batman writers more flexibility but it probably does.
I hope some day to be able to pick up an issue of Firestorm where it’s somewhat familiar: “I’m a teen with powers and I’m going to try to save my city from a bad guy today.”
The 52 is a great idea that I’m supporting with my dollars but there seems to be a lot of emphasis on these sprawling storylines where if you haven’t read the last dozen issues, you’re kind of out on a raft in the middle of the ocean without a paddle.

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